Creating a specialized facility for laboratory opossums to enhance biomedical research
Official title: Individually ventilated cage system for laboratory opossum vivarium
Funded at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · NIH-10987661 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is setting up a special facility where researchers and students can work with opossums to help improve medical research, making it easier for everyone to study these unique animals without having to keep their own.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edinburg, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $349,788 |
| NIH project number | 1R24OD037714-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10987661 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include researchers and students interested in studying marsupial biology and its implications for human health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in research or do not have a specific interest in marsupial studies may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to establish a cutting-edge vivarium dedicated to the UTRGV Laboratory Opossum Research Resource, which will facilitate advanced biomedical research using the unique laboratory opossum species. The facility will provide researchers and students access to a large colony of opossums, including exclusive genetic stocks and inbred strains. By offering state-of-the-art individually ventilated cages, the vivarium will ensure optimal living conditions for the animals, thereby enhancing the quality of research conducted. This initiative will also allow other institutions to collaborate and conduct research without needing to maintain their own colonies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality and accessibility of biomedical research involving opossums, leading to advancements in understanding various health conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While the establishment of specialized vivariums is common, this specific focus on the UTRGV Laboratory Opossum is relatively novel and aims to fill a unique niche in biomedical research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vandeberg, John L — University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Study coordinator: Vandeberg, John L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.